Subframe structure in motor vehicle

Abstract

A subframe supporting a fuel tank in an internal space therein includes a pair of front and rear cross-members extending in a lateral direction of a vehicle body, a pair of left and right upper side-members and a pair of left and right lower side-members which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body to interconnect left and right opposite ends of the cross-members, respectively. Longitudinally intermediate portions of the adjacent upper and lower side-members are integrally coupled to each other by a vertically extending bracket. An upper arm is pivotally supported at an upper end of the bracket, and a lower arm is pivotally supported at a lower end of the bracket. The above construction makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the subframe, while providing an effective utilization of the internal space in the subframe.

We claim: 
     
       1. A subframe structure in a motor vehicle including a subframe mounted on a vehicle body frame, and left and right suspensions supported on the subframe, said subframe structure comprising: side-members mounted on left and right opposite sides of the subframe, each of said side-members including, a) an upper side-member extending in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle,   b) a lower side-member also extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and vertically spaced apart from said upper side-member, and   c) a connecting member integrally coupling longitudinally intermediate portions of said upper and lower side-members together; and     suspension arms supported near joints between said upper and lower side-members and said connecting member.   
     
     
       2. A subframe structure in a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said suspension arms are supported on said connecting member. 
     
     
       3. A subframe structure in a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said side-members include a second connecting member coupling said upper and lower side-members together. 
     
     
       4. A subframe structure in a motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein at least one suspension arm is supported on said second connecting member. 
     
     
       5. A subframe structure in a motor vehicle including a subframe mounted on a vehicle body frame, and left and right suspensions supported on the subframe, said subframe structure comprising: side-members mounted on left and right opposite sides of the subframe, and extending in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle;   a vertically extending bracket mounted on each of said side-members; and an upper arm and a lower arm of the suspension respectively supported on upper and lower ends of said bracket.   
     
     
       6. A subframe structure in a motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said side-members are comprised of upper and lower side-members which are spaced apart from each other and integrally connected to each other by said bracket. 
     
     
       7. A subframe structure in a motor vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising a second bracket mounted on each of said side-members.